These tips are based on things that I wish I had known about/or done before I actually started to write for kids. I have missed some great opportunities as a writer because of missing photos and notes. A little old lady who charmed me to death died recently. Now I wish I had taken the time to record the stories she told me in her own words. Slowly, I’ve learned the value of taking the time to use all the possible opportunities to become a published writer.

1. Talk to/Interview tons of people. Take notes and keep your notes. You might just use them later on for another project. Learn from the experiences of the people that you interview or you are interviewed by. No one ever knows what life may bring in their direction. Last year, I interviewed an author who this year is serving as my expert on an article I’m writing for possible acceptance from an online children’s magazine.

2. Take lots and lots of pictures. Family, friends and local events. Watch kids. Listen to what they say and do. Use what you know to help you write. If it interests you, it just might interest others. You may have the opportunity to use the pictures as a writer. Do it-even if you weren't not sure that you want to be a writer. You never know what you might want to do later on. Pictures are memories to be shared whether you chose to write about them today, tomorrow or years from now.

3. Do clip newspaper articles that you find interesting. For an example, an article on rescued horses became the background for a story I wrote as well as provided research for a nonfiction article that is on my list to write. Put them in envelopes or boxes to be taken out and looked over periodically. They serve as great story starters.

4. Turn your negatives into positives. The world is full of sad stories. You can always find someone in worse shape than you are. Focus on the path to a bright promising future by being positive. The world is full of people, children and adults, that are striving to make our world a better place. A great example is the third graders at Echo Hill Elementary who for Valentine’s Day made Friendship Blankets (Project Linus) for children who had or were currently experiencing terminal illnesses or abuse.

5. Learn to see the humor, use it to your advantage. People love to laugh. In the worst time of my life as I battle cancer, the ability to laugh has pulled me through. Kids love to laugh. It is also an outlet for those of us with a slightly different sense of humor.

6. Read and do your research. Start out by visiting a library’s children’s section, mid-grade’s section or young adult’s section. Find authors you respect and admire to read. Look closely at what they do well as well as areas that they are not as strong in. It is a great place to start.

7. Get to know and be friends with other writers. On line, at conferences, at libraries, at book signing, writers are gracious with their time. If you are a social media person, then be sure to check out Twitter and Facebook. Join online chat groups. Join a message board. Take photos with your new friends. Share stories. Enjoy the supportive atmosphere.

8. Learn to deal with rejections. They are a fact of a writer's life. Learn to revise. It is how a writer grows. Even those who are well-known and respected in the community have gotten a rejection here and there. The difference between a published author and one who isn’t being published just might be that the published writer continued to grow as a writer by practicing hard and revising more. With time and work, skills grow.

9. Learn how to talk about yourself. The concept of marketing is making others know who you are and what you write. Not just for a story or for a book, but you ultimately want to make people want to invest in you, the person. Read all the great articles on how to make this happen. There are a ton of them. Visit websites of those writers who appeal to you and comment on relative subjects. Make those important contacts and connections prior to the acceptance or a book launch.

10. Last but not least- write as much as you can. Writers around the world find a way to squeeze in writing time. Steal five minutes here and there. You could be surprised at what a small amount of time spent writing daily can produce. The old advice that you can’t get published if you don’t write and submit is so true. Following these simple tips just might land you the publishing opportunity of a lifetime.